Ahead of Independence Day, the Punjab Police on Sunday claimed to have busted a Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence-backed terror module and arrested four persons.

Police said they were asked to strike before independence day to disturb peace and harmony in the country.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Punjab Police and the Delhi Police.

'Ahead of #IndependenceDay, Punjab Police foils major terror threat and busts Pak-ISI backed terror module, with help of Delhi Police. 4 module members associated with Canada-based Arsh Dalla & Australia-based Gurjant Singh arrested,' the Punjab Police tweeted.

Police also recovered three hand-grenades (P-86), one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and two 9mm pistols along with 40 live cartridges from the possession of arrested persons, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here in a statement.

The accused were identified as Deepak Sharma of Preet Nagar in Moga, Sandeep Singh of village Kotkaror Kalan in Ferozepur, Sunny Dagar of village Ishapur in Najafgarh in Delhi, and Vipin Jakhar, a resident of Goyla Khurd in New Delhi.

The accused were associated with Canada-based Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala and Australia-based gangster Gurjant Singh alias Janta said police.

Yadav said following reliable inputs that associates of Arsh Dala are being harboured by Vipin Jakhar at his accommodation in village Goyla Khurd in New Delhi, the teams of Punjab Police along with Dwarka Police conducted a raid at their premises on Friday and managed to arrest them.

The investigation has revealed that Deepak Sharma, a history-sheeter, was wanted by the Punjab Police in the murder case of a Moga-based Jaswinder Singh alias Jassi and for firing on the house of Panchayat Secretary of Village Dala, Moga in June 2022, said the DGP.

Sandeep, who recently came back to India from Dubai, had provided logistic support to Deepak to carry out firing at the house of Panchayat Secretary, said Yadav.

The DGP said accused Sunny Dagar, who is out of jail on parole, is an active member of the Neeraj Bawana gang and the Tillu Tajpuriya gang, active in Delhi and NCR region, and has been booked under various other cases.

While Sunny Dagar provided hideouts to Deepak Sharma and Sandeep Singh in Delhi and nearby areas, accused Vipin Jakhar helped with financial and logistical support to the other arrested and was involved in facilitating the movement of the accused from one hideout to another, he added.

Police procured remand for five days of all the arrested persons after producing them at the local Mohali Court on Saturday.

Canada-based Arsh Dala, a native of Dala village in Moga, a notorious gangster, is most wanted by the Punjab Police.

His involvement had also emerged in various targeted killings that took place in the border state of Punjab along with supplying militant hardware including RDX, IEDs, AK-47 and other arms and ammunition to modules in the state after importing them from Pakistan.

Yadav said police initiated the process to extradite him from Canada and soon he will be brought to India.

The red corner notice against Arsh Dala has already been issued in May 2022.  -- PTI

In her maiden address to the nation, newly-elected President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended her heartiest greetings in advance to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the eve of the 76th Independence Day.

The President also paid homage to those who lost their lives during the partition of 1947.

Notably, August 14, marks the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced last year.

"My heartiest greetings in advance to all Indians living in the country and abroad on the eve of the 76th Independence Day. I am delighted to address you on this momentous occasion. India is completing 75 years as an independent nation. Fourteenth August is observed as 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' so as to promote social harmony, unity and empowerment of people. Tomorrow marks the day when we had freed ourselves from the shackles of colonial rulers and decided to reshape our destiny. As all of us celebrate the anniversary of that day, we bow to all those men and women who made enormous sacrifices to make it possible for us to live in a free India," said President Murmu in her address to the nation.

President Murmu was delivering her maiden address to the nation on Sunday on the eve of the 76th Independence Day.  -- ANI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Eknath Shinde camp can exchange some portfolios ahead of the next cabinet expansion, if needed.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday allocated cabinet portfolios to 18 new ministers, keeping Urban Development and 11 other ministries with himself while giving the crucial Home department to Fadnavis.

Fadnavis will also handle Finance and Planning, another key department, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.

"There is no dispute between the BJP and CM Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over the portfolio distribution. If required, we can exchange some portfolios ahead of the next cabinet expansion," said Fadnavis.

He was responding to a query about himself and Shinde holding several portfolios among themselves.

Maharashtra cabinet's maximum allowed strength is 43.  -- PTI

A fresh delegation of United States lawmakers is visiting Taiwan, less than two weeks after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the self-ruled island angered China and set off large-scale military drills in the Taiwan Strait.

The latest trip of US lawmakers is being led by Senator Markey from Massachusetts.

This trip will include talks on several issues, including regional security, trade and investment and global supply chains.

'Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA), Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), and Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS) will visit Taiwan from August 14-15, 2022, as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region,' American Institute in Taiwan said in a statement.

'The delegation will meet with senior Taiwan leaders to discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade and investment, global supply chains, climate change, and other significant issues of mutual interest,' it added.

Amid the continuing China military threat, Taiwan on Sunday said it will continue to enhance its self-defence capabilities while maintaining close coordination with all like-minded nations, including India, to jointly preserve the rules-based international order and safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan said it is entitled to make friends and maintain relationships with countries around the world.

It said China's deliberate intensification of various forms of military posturing targeted at Taiwan recently has severely disrupted peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

'The government of ROC (Taiwan) wishes to convey sincere gratitude to the executive branches and parliamentarians of over 50 countries-including India-which have called on all sides to exercise restrain, de-escalate tensions, avoid unilateral actions to change status quo and maintain peace and stability in the region,' the foreign ministry said in a statement.

'...the government of Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defence capabilities while maintaining close communication and coordination with the US, Japan and all other like-minded nations including India to jointly preserve the rules-based international order and safeguard security across the Taiwan Strait and consolidate peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,' the statement added.

China this week released a white paper titled 'The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era' reiterating its claims over the self-ruled island.

Chinese state media said the white paper demonstrates the country's resolve to national reunification.

The white paper said the Chinese community party (CCP) is committed to the historic mission of resolving the Taiwan question and realising China's complete reunification.

Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu said China is 'wrecking the status quo' in the Taiwan Strait and slammed Chinese military drills, which have concluded.

Wu told VOA additional foreign delegations are 'more than welcome' in Taipei and rebuffed China's furious reaction to Pelosi's visit.   -- ANI

The Army on Sunday inaugurated a 108-feet high national flag in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The tricolour was installed at Hyderbaigh in Pattan in the north Kashmir district, PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said.

He said General Officer Commanding, Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) (Kilo), Major General S S Slaria, dedicated it to the people of Kashmir.

The installation of the high mast was completed in a record time of 30 days, he said.

The flag, constructed in collaboration with Flag Foundation of India, not only instills a sense of pride and honour among the people but also honours all the bravehearts who have laid down their lives towards eliminating terrorism, the PRO said.

The project is a part of Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' initiative of the central government.

Major Gen Slaria appreciated the efforts of all those involved in the completion of the project.

The people of Hyderbaigh Pattan also appreciated the district administration and the Army for this unique initiative, which will remain etched in the history of the area, the PRO Defence said.  -- PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday allocated the crucial Home portfolio to Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Shinde, who expanded his two-member cabinet on August 9 by inducting 18 ministers, has kept the Urban Development portfolio with himself.

A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said Fadnavis will also handle the Finance and Planning ministry, and Bharatiya Janata Party minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil will be the new revenue minister.

BJP minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has been made the Forest minister, a portfolio he handled earlier.

Former state BJP president Chandrakant Patil is the new minister for higher and technical education. He will also look after parliamentary affairs.

From the Shinde-led group of Shiv Sena rebels, Deepak Kesarkar is the new minister for school education, while Abdul Sattar has been given the Agriculture portfolio.   -- PTI

The Uttar Pradesh police has arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly having links with terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed and being in touch with handlers in Pakistan and Afghanistan through social media, officials said Sunday.

The arrest of Habibul Islam alias Saifulla by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) came close on the heels of the arrest of Mohammad Nadeem, 25, an alleged terrorist linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) who was tasked with carrying out a 'fidayeen' attack on suspended Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

"Following Nadeem's interrogation Saifulla was brought from Fatehpur to Kanpur. He was later arrested. Saifulla admitted that he knew Nadeem and both of them were linked to JeM," the UP ATS said in a statement on Sunday.

Indian and international links of Saifulla are being probed and he has been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Additional Director General of Police (ATS) Naveen Arora told PTI.

According to the police, Saifulla, who was residing in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district, is a native of Bihar's Motihari district.

'Saifulla is an expert in making virtual IDs and he has provided around 50 of those to Nadeem as well as terrorists in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. He was linked to handlers in Pakistan and Afghanistan through various social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger,' the ATS said.

Saifulla was linked to various groups on social media which used to share 'jihadi videos', the police alleged, adding he used to 'send jihadi videos to people to motivate them'.

The ATS has also alleged that a Pakistani handler of the JeM had asked Saifulla to come to Pakistan for 'jihadi training' and then 'carry out jihad in India'.

A mobile phone, a SIM card and a knife have been seized from him, the ATS said.   -- PTI

Author J K Rowling, best known for the fantasy book series Harry Potter, has received a death threat on Twitter after she condemned the attack on fellow British writer Salman Rushdie.

Rushdie, who faced Islamist death threats for years after writing The Satanic Verses, was stabbed by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident identified as Hadi Matar, a US national of Lebanese origin, on stage on Friday while he was being introduced at a literary event of the Chautauqua Institution in Western New York.

Rowling, who has previously been criticised for her comments on transgender people, had on Friday shared a tweet expressing horror at the attempt on 75-year-old Rushdie's life.

'Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok,' she had posted.

A user commented on this post, saying, 'Don't worry you are next.'

He had previously described Matar as a 'revolutionary Shia fighter'.

Rowling on Saturday shared the screenshot of this comment and asked Twitter to take cognisance, tagging @TwitterSupport, 'Any chance of some support?'

She later confirmed that the police were now involved.

'To all sending supportive messages: thank you. Police are involved (were already involved on other threats),' Rowling wrote.

The author later shared a screenshot of Twitter's feedback after she reported the comment, which said there were 'no violations of the Twitter rules in the content you reported'.

Warner Bros. Discovery, the media conglomerate which owns Warner Bros, the studio behind the Harry Potter film franchise, in a statement to Deadline condemned the threats against Rowling.

'Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns the threats made against JK Rowling. We stand with her and all the authors, storytellers and creators who bravely express their creativity and opinions. WBD believes in freedom of expression, peaceful discourse and supporting those who offer their views in the public arena.

'Our thoughts are with Sir Salman Rushdie and his family following the senseless act of violence in New York. The company strongly condemns any form of threat, violence or intimidation when opinions, beliefs and thoughts might differ,' the corporation in the statement.

Mumbai-born Rushdie, who was hospitalised with serious injuries, has been taken off a ventilator and was able to talk, a day after he was stabbed.

The author's injuries include three stab wounds to the right side of the front of his neck, four stab wounds to his stomach, a puncture wound to his right eye and chest, and a laceration on his right thigh, according to Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt.

Matar was charged with attempted murder and assault in the stabbing of Rushdie and he pleaded not guilty.   -- PTI

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) has described Laal Singh Chaddha as a 'faithful' Indian adaptation of the Hollywood film Forrest Gump.

Directed by Advait Chandan of Secret Superstar fame and adapted by noted actor Atul Kulkarni, Laal Singh Chaddha is the official remake of the 1994 Tom Hanks-starrer.

Superstar Aamir Khan headlines the Hindi version of the American movie which had featured Hanks as the titular character Forrest.

The Academy on Saturday shared a video montage of the two films on its official Twitter page.

'Robert Zemeckis and Eric Roth's sweeping story of a man who changes the world with kindness receives a faithful Indian adaptation in Advait Chandan and Atul Kulkarni's Laal Singh Chaddha feat. Aamir Khan in the role made famous by Tom Hanks,' the California-based institution said.

'We're immensely humbled! Thank you so much,' tweeted Aamir Khan Productions, one of the banners behind Laal Singh Chaddha.

The Hindi adaptation, which released on August 11, revolves around the life of slow-witted but kind hearted man Laal (Khan) as he narrates the important events of his life, which coincides with the many iconic events from Indian history.

Based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom, Forrest Gump was directed by Robert Zemeckis and adapted to screen by Eric Roth.

Forrest Gump was nominated for 13 Oscars including six wins for best actor (Hanks), director (Zemeckis), adapted screenplay (Roth), film editing (Arthur Schmidt), and picture (Wendy Finerman, Steve Tisch and Steve Starkey).   -- PTI

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has once again commended India for its independent foreign policy as he slammed the West for being critical of India for buying Russian oil.

Addressing a huge gathering in Lahore, Imran played a video clip of India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar from Bratislava Forum held in Slovakia and praised the Indian minister for standing firm to the United States pressure over buying cheap oil from Russia.

"If India which got independence at the same time as Pakistan and if New Delhi can take a firm stand and make their foreign policy as per the need of its people then who are they (Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif government) who are towing the line," Imran Khan said at the gathering, a video of which was shared by several media outlets.

"They (US) ordered India to not buy oil from Russia. India is US' strategic ally, Pakistan is not. Let us see what India's Foreign Minister said when the US asked them not to buy Russian oil."

Imran Khan then played out External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's video clip.

"Jaishankar is telling them who are you? Jaishakar said that Europe is buying gas from Russia and we will buy it as people need it. This is what an independent country is ('yeh hoti hai Azad Haqumat')," he said while praising India.

He also slammed the Shehbaz government for bowing down to US pressure on buying Russian oil.

"We had spoken to Russia about buying cheaper oil but this government has no courage to say no to US pressure. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, people are below the poverty line. I am against this slavery."

The clip of EAM Jaishankar played during Lahore Jalsa was of June 3, when in response to a question on India buying Russian oil, he counter questioned, 'Is buying Russian gas not funding the war?'

Jaishankar made these remarks at the GLOBSEC 2022 Bratislava Forum being held in Slovakia on the topic 'Taking Friendship to the Next Level: Allies in the Indo-Pacific Region'.

EAM Jaishankar had hit back at the unfair criticism of Indian oil purchase from Russia amid the Ukraine war that has created a knock-off effect on the world economy.

While defending India's oil imports from Russia, Jaishankar stressed that it is important to understand how the Ukraine conflict is impacting the developing countries.

He also questioned why only India was being questioned while Europe continues to import gas from Russia amid the Ukraine war.

Responding to a question on whether India's oil imports from Russia is not funding the ongoing Ukraine war, Jaishankar said, "Look I don't want to sound argumentative. If India funding Russia oil is funding the war... Tell me then buying Russian gas is not funding the war? It's only Indian money and Russian oil coming to India funding the war and not Russia's gas coming to Europe not funding? Let's be a little even-handed."   -- ANI

There has been no improvement in the condition of popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava as he remains on life support in the intensive care unit of AIIMS  New Delhi, hospital sources said on Sunday.

The 58-year-old stand-up comic was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in  New Delhi after suffering a heart attack on Wednesday.

He underwent an angioplasty the same day.

"Srivastava remains critical and on life support. There has been no improvement in his condition. He continues to be unconscious. He suffered brain damage after heart attack," the source told PTI.

On Friday night, Srivastava's family released a statement on his official Instagram page, saying the comedian's condition is 'stable'.

'Raju Srivastava ji's condition is stable. We are praying for his speedy recovery. The doctors are treating him and are doing their best. Thanks to all the well wishers for continued love and support,' the family said in the statement.

The family also requested people to 'ignore any rumour/fake news being circulated'.

The comic had a heart attack while exercising at a hotel's gym in New Delhi.

Srivastava, who has been active in the entertainment industry since late 1980s, received recognition after participating in the first season of stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005.

He has featured in Hindi films such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Baazigar, Bombay to Goa (remake) and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya.

He was one of the contestants on Bigg Boss Season 3.

Srivastava is also the chairman of the Film Development Council Uttar Pradesh.   -- PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday demanded action against the owner of a private school after a minor Dalit boy died after being allegedly beaten up by a teacher for touching a water pot.

BJP spokesperson and MLA Ramlal Sharma said recognition of the school should be cancelled so that discipline is maintained.

The Bahujan Samaj Party has also condemned the incident and will give representations addressed to the President on Tuesday.

The nine-year-old Dalit boy Indra Kumar died on Saturday allegedly after he was beaten up by a teacher for touching a water pot in the school.

The accused teacher, Chail Singh, 40, has been arrested.

This is first such incident where a Dalit boy died after he was beaten up by a teacher in private school for touching a drinking water pot.

The BJP demands that immediate action should be taken so that such incidents do not reoccur, Sharma said.

Action against the school owner should also be taken and recognition of the school should be cancelled so that discipline is maintained in schools, he said.

The Jalore Police has charged the teacher with murder and under sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Meghwal, a student of the private school in Surana village, was allegedly beaten up on July 20 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

CM Ashok Gehlot condemned the incident and said the case will be taken up under the case officer scheme for fast investigation.

He also announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the boy from the chief minister's relief fund on Saturday night.

'The death of a student due to assault by a teacher in a private school in the Sayla police station area of Jalore is tragic. The accused teacher has been arrested under sections for the murder and SC/ST Act,' he tweeted.

'The case has been taken up under the Case Officer Scheme for speedy investigation of the case and speedy punishment to the guilty. Justice will be ensured to the victim's family at the earliest. An assistance amount of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of the deceased from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund,' he said.

The state education department has initiated an inquiry into the matter.

Superintendent of Police of Jalore Harsh Vardhan Agarwalla said the boy was beaten up badly and added that the reason cited for it -- touching a drinking water pot -- was yet to be investigated.

"We have filed a case against the teacher, Chail Singh, under section 302 of the IPC and the SC/ST Act and have arrested him," the police officer said.

The boy's father said he suffered injuries on his face and ear and almost became unconscious.

The boy was taken to the district hospital, from where he was referred to a hospital in Udaipur.

"He remained admitted at the hospital in Udaipur for about a week, but seeing no improvement, we took him to Ahmedabad. But his condition did not improve even there and he finally succumbed on Saturday," the boy's father Devaram Meghwal said.   -- PTI

One person has been taken into custody and a firearm has been recovered from his possession. 

"CCTV is reviewed and at this time the person in custody is believed to be the only person responsible for this incident,' said the police. 

The situation at the airport is contained, said the police. -- ANI

The 62-year-old Jhunjhunwala passed away on Sunday morning in Mumbai. 

"Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was indomitable. Full of life, witty and insightful, he leaves behind an indelible contribution to the financial world," Modi said in a tweet. 

"He (Jhunjhunwala) was also very passionate about India's progress. His passing away is saddening. My condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti," the prime minister said. -- PTI

Deutsche Bank said in a statement Saturday that it mourns the death of its former Co-CEO Anshu Jain, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 59 after a long, serious illness. 

Jain was diagnosed with duodenal cancer in 2017. 

"We are deeply saddened that our beloved husband, son, and father, Anshu Jain, passed away overnight," his family said in a statement, according to a report in Fortune. 

Duodenal cancer is a mass of irregular, fast-growing cells in the first portion of the small intestine. 

The family said Jain outlived his initial diagnosis by four years through a combination of exhaustive personal research, tactical skill, amazing caregivers, and sheer force of will. 

There are few reliable statistics for life expectancy for stomach cancer in the third, fourth, and fifth years because so few people survive these milestones. 

To his last day, Anshu stood by his lifelong determination to not be a statistic'," the family said, according to the Fortune report.

Born in Jaipur, Jain received his bachelor's degree in economics, with honors, from the University of Delhi and his MBA in finance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. -- PTI

The incident took place in Qaimoh area of the south Kashmir district on Saturday night.                 

"A grenade incident was reported yesterday night in Qaimoh #Kulgam. In this #terror incident, 01 police personnel namely Tahir Khan R/O Mendhar, Poonch got injured," Kashmir zone police wrote on Twitter.                 

The police said the injured personnel was shifted to the GMC hospital in Anantnag where he succumbed to injuries. -- PTI

The 85-year-old MP from Srinagar is recovering well and has self-isolated at home. 

"Dr Farooq Abdullah tested positive for Covid 19 a couple of days ago, with mild symptoms. He's recovering well and his doctors have advised rest while he recovers," the party wrote on Twitter. 

Abdullah had first tested positive in April last year. 

He was hospitalised then for some days on the advice of doctors for better care. -- PTI

He was 62. 

Jhunjhunwala was not keeping well for the past few days and breathed his last on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, as per the hospital sources. 

Jhunjhunwala was born on July 5, 1960. 

He grew up in Mumbai. 

After graduating from Sydenham College in 1985, he enrolled at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and married Rekha Jhunjunwala, who is also a stock market investor. 

Jhunjhunwala ran a privately-owned stock trading firm called RARE Enterprises. 

He was also the owner of India's newest airline Akasa Air which took off in Indian skies earlier this month. 

A lot of people questioned why he planned to start an airline when aviation was not doing well, to which he replied, "I say I'm prepared for failure." 

He was always bullish about India's stock market and whatever stocks he purchased mostly turned into a multibagger.

Known as 'India's Warren Buffett', Jhunjhunwala wealth was estimated at around $5.8 billion, according to Forbes. -- ANI

The police said the accused, Aslam (23) and Shahwan (20), were arrested for insulting the national flag and attempting to spread enmity between two communities. 

The residents of Rakhona village had put up two national flags on the government water tank located to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Independence. 

On Saturday morning, protesting against the installation of flags on the tank, the two youths removed and threw them on the ground and put up green flags in their place, additional superintendent of police (Rural) Ashok Kumar said. 

After getting information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and registered a case against both the accused and arrested them, the additional SP said. 

Kharighat police station in-charge Nikhil Srivastava said a case was registered against the accused on the basis of the complaint of the village head's brother. 

Both have been arrested after the case was filed, police said. 

People are hoisting the national flag atop their houses and at other places to celebrate the 75th Independence Day as part of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign. -- PTI

"All the examination centres will be connected to the Lucknow-based war room for ensuring transparency in examination," Upadhyay said. 

He said the condition of lecturers in self-financing colleges is miserable as they are not getting adequate pay. 

To overcome the anomaly, a meeting of representatives of lecturers and management committees would be called in September in Lucknow, he added. 

Upadhyay said the new National Education Policy will change the education scenario since it blends ancient Indian culture with modern developments in education. -- PTI

The accused were identified as Narayan Lal Gadri, 27, a resident of Bhilwara, and Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, 24, of Jaipur. 

They were interrogated jointly by intelligence agencies. 

Officials said Gadri provided SIM cards of Indian telecom companies to be used by his Pakistani handlers to run social media accounts. 

Shekhawat, who was working as a salesman in a liquor shop in Pali, was in touch with a Pakistani woman handler. 

He was operating multiple social media accounts posing as women personnel of the Indian Army. 

Shekhawat was involved in obtaining classified information from Army jawans after befriending them on social media, director general of intelligence Umesh Mishra said. 

He said the duo were getting money in lieu of spying and helping their Pakistani handlers. 

He said separate cases have been registered against them under relevant sections of the IPC, Official Secrets Act and the Information Technology Act. -- PTI

Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Amrutha Guguloth said, "They had taken out the march without any permission when the deployment of VIP carcade rehearsal is in place." 

Tiranga Yatra is being taken out across the country to mark the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. 

The case has been registered at Tughlaq Road police station under sections 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, the officials said. 

Chahal, who is Delhi BJP general secretary, said he has no information regarding any case filed in connection with the Yatra. -- PTI

Droupadi Murmu was elected President last month. 

The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of All India Radio and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version. 

The broadcast of the address in Hindi and English on Doordarshan will be followed by a broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15. 

People are enthusiastically taking part in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th year of India's Independence. 

The Har Ghar Tiranga campaign commenced on Saturday and will run till August 15. 

Har Ghar Tiranga is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India's independence. 

The programme envisages inspiring Indians everywhere to hoist the national flag at their homes. -- ANI